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Forager encrypts your login session and locks it behind your device’s screen lock — fingerprint, face, PIN, or pattern. Each time you open the app after it has been closed or your screen has locked, you will be asked to authenticate before your session is restored. This protects your asset data and attestation history if your device is lost or used by someone else.

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When it matters

  • Shared devices — If your organization issues shared phones or tablets that multiple techs carry across shifts, biometric lock ensures one tech’s session isn’t accessible when another picks up the device.
  • Field work in patient or public areas — Techs working in patient rooms, lobbies, or hallways carry phones that can be set down or left unattended. Biometric lock protects attestation history and asset data if the device is picked up.
  • Compliance environments — Healthcare facilities subject to HIPAA and similar frameworks need to demonstrate that access to asset records is controlled. Biometric lock provides a local authentication layer that satisfies this requirement without requiring MDM or VPN.
  • Lost or stolen device — If a phone goes missing, biometric lock prevents anyone who finds it from opening Forager without your fingerprint, face, or PIN.

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First login: enrollment

When you sign in, Forager automatically encrypts your session using your device’s screen lock. After encryption completes, a sheet appears:
Biometric lock enabled Forager encrypted your session. Next time you open the app, you’ll be asked for your fingerprint or face to unlock it. You can change this in Profile → Security.
Tap Got it to continue to the app. No extra setup is required — your device’s existing screen lock is used automatically.
If your device has no screen lock configured (no PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face), biometric lock will not activate. You can still use Forager normally — you will just be taken directly to the home screen on each open instead of seeing the lock screen.

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Unlocking the app

When you open Forager after it has been closed or your screen locked, the lock screen appears and the biometric prompt fires immediately:
  1. The lock screen shows the Forager logo and an Unlock button
  2. Your device’s authentication prompt appears — scan your fingerprint, look at the camera, or enter your PIN or pattern
  3. On success, you are taken directly to the home screen with your session restored
You do not need to enter your email or password again.

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If authentication fails or is cancelled

If you cancel the prompt or it fails to recognize you, the lock screen remains visible with a message: “Tap the button below to try again.” Tap Unlock to try again. If authentication consistently fails (device in gloves, wet hands, etc.), tap Sign in instead to authenticate with your email and password. This clears the encrypted session and re-authenticates normally — your data is not lost.

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If you change your screen lock

Adding new fingerprints or updating your face enrollment does not affect Forager’s app lock. The app continues working normally — newly enrolled biometrics are accepted automatically by the system. If you remove all biometrics but keep a PIN or pattern, the lock remains active. You will be prompted to enter your PIN or pattern at each app open. If you remove all screen locks entirely, biometric lock will no longer activate and you will go directly to the home screen. In rare cases (device factory reset, key corruption), the lock screen may show:
Your biometric credentials changed. Sign in to continue.
If this happens, tap Sign in instead and authenticate with email and password. Forager will re-encrypt your session after you sign in.

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Managing biometric lock

You can enable or disable biometric lock at any time from your profile:
  1. Tap your initials in the top-right corner of the home screen
  2. Scroll to the Security section
  3. Toggle Biometric App Lock

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Disabling biometric lock

Tapping the toggle off shows a confirmation:
Disable biometric lock? Your session data will remain encrypted, but Forager will no longer require authentication on launch.
Confirm to disable. The next time you open the app, you will go directly to the home screen without an authentication prompt.

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Re-enabling biometric lock

Toggle it back on. Biometric lock takes effect on the next app open.
Disabling biometric lock means anyone with access to your unlocked Android device can open the Forager app without additional authentication. Only disable it if your device itself is secured (strong PIN, face unlock, etc.).

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FAQ

Does biometric lock log me out? No. It encrypts your session and requires authentication to decrypt it on open. Your login session is preserved — you do not have to re-enter your email or password each time. What if I forget my password after using biometric for a while? Use the Forgot password? link on the sign-in screen. Forager will send a reset email to your registered address. Do I need internet to unlock the app? No. Biometric unlock is entirely local — your encrypted session is stored on your device. You only need a connection when the app performs syncs or attestation uploads. Will biometric lock affect my scanning workflow? Only on app open. Once unlocked, the app behaves exactly as normal — scanning, location detection, and syncing are unaffected. I only have a PIN, no fingerprint. Does biometric lock still work? Yes. Forager accepts any device screen lock — fingerprint, face, PIN, or pattern. If your device has a PIN but no biometrics, you will be prompted to enter your PIN at each app open.